Golf ball incorporating at least one layer of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition containing low molecular weight acid wax(es) as sole acid polymer component and low molecular weight non-acid wax(es) in the non-acid polymer component

ABSTRACT

Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), (c) and (d) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and softer feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/431,883, filed Feb. 14, 2017, which is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/588,317, filed Dec. 31, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/145,593, filed Dec. 31, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,427,630. This application is also a continuation-in-part ofco-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 14/145,578, 14/145,616, and14/145,633, each filed on Dec. 31, 2013. This application is meanwhile acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/522,784,filed Oct. 24, 2014. The entire disclosure of each of these relatedapplications is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf balls incorporating plasticizedvery and/or highly neutralized acid polymer compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional golf balls can be divided into two general classes: solidand wound. Solid golf balls include one-piece, two-piece (i.e., singlelayer core and single layer cover), and multi-layer (i.e., solid core ofone or more layers and/or a cover of one or more layers) golf balls.Wound golf balls typically include a solid, hollow, or fluid-filledcenter, surrounded by a tensioned elastomeric material, and a cover.

Golf balls are typically constructed with polymer compositionsincluding, for example, polybutadiene rubber, polyurethanes, polyamides,ionomers, and blends thereof. Playing characteristics of golf balls,such as spin, feel, CoR and compression can be tailored by varying theproperties of the golf ball materials and/or adding additional golf balllayers such as at least one intermediate layer disposed between thecover and the core. Intermediate layers can be of solid construction,and have also been formed of a tensioned elastomeric winding. Thedifference in play characteristics resulting from modification(s) ofgolf ball materials and/or construction can be quite significant.

Ionomers, particularly ethylene-based ionomers, are a preferred group ofpolymers for golf ball layers because of their toughness, durability,and wide range of hardness values. Ionomers initially became populargolf ball cover materials due to their excellent impact resistance andtheir thermoplasticity, which permits the material to be economicallyapplied via injection or compression molding techniques.

Golf ball manufacturers have blended high molecular weightacid-containing polymers and low molecular weight acid-containingpolymers because each is known to have drawbacks when used in golf ballionomer compositions. On the one hand, high molecular weightacid-containing polymers tend to produce compositions having excellentphysical properties such as heat stability, yet suffer from low meltflow and attendant poor processability. On the other hand, low molecularweight acid-containing polymers generally result in compositions havingexcellent melt flow, yet poor physical properties such as heatstability. Blending of high and low molecular weight acid-containingpolymers has been found to overcome these drawbacks and achieve anacceptable balance between good physical properties (such as heatstability) and melt flow (processability).

However, it would be more efficient and cost effective to developimproved ionomeric formulations that don't require blending high and lowmolecular weight acid-containing polymers—especially those whichmeanwhile retain original properties well. In this regard, it can bedifficult for a material to retain its original properties long termwhen problems occur such as migration of ingredients within and betweenadjacent golf ball layers. This generally changes the material, whichcan alter important golf ball properties including durability, adhesion,resilience (CoR), compression, and soft feel.

There is therefore a need for such improved ionomeric layer formulationsand golf balls containing same, which would be particularly useful ifproducible within existing golf ball manufacturing systems. Golf ballsof the present invention and the methods of making same address andsolve this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a golf ball of the invention incorporates at least onelayer comprising a plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionincorporating at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax in thenon-acid polymer component of the mixture and meanwhile including lowmolecular weight acid-containing waxes rather than blending high and lowmolecular weight acid polymers. The resulting composition displaysexcellent melt flow/processability and heat stability yet advantageouslyretains desired golf ball properties and characteristics well due toimprovements such as controlled migration of ingredients within andbetween adjacent layers, thereby creating longer golf ball shelf-life.

Incorporating at least on low molecular weight non-acid wax in theinventive plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition facilitates,controls and improves retention of the originally targeted properties inthe resulting material such as durability, adhesion, resilience (CoR),compression, and soft feel due at least in part to interactions betweenthe at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax of component (b) andthe ingredients of components (a), (c), and (d).

In one embodiment, a golf ball of the invention comprises at least onelayer comprised of the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionconsisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecular weightacid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of which atleast one is a low molecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least oneorganic acid or salt thereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer; whereineach low molecular weight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight offrom about 500 to about 30,000; wherein the mixture may contain at least70 percent of neutralized acid groups; and wherein the mixture has amelt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min.

In one embodiment, the low molecular weight non-acid wax is selectedfrom the group consisting of: high density oxidized polyethylenehomopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleicanhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers;polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes;emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable lowmolecular weight non-acid waxes; chemically modified low molecularweight non-acid waxes, and combinations thereof.

In a particular embodiment, at least one low molecular weight non-acidwax may be included in a blend of non-acid-polymers in an amount of atleast 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the blend. In anotherembodiment, at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax may beincluded in a blend of non-acid-polymers in an amount of less than 50wt. % based on the total weight of the blend. In a specific suchembodiment, the at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax isincluded in the blend in an amount of from about 10 wt. % to 50 wt. %based on the total weight of the blend.

The at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax is generally includedin the mixture in an amount of no greater than 35 wt. % based on thetotal weight of the mixture. In a specific embodiment, the at least onelow molecular weight non-acid wax is included in the mixture in anamount of from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % based on the total weightof the mixture.

Component (a) may be included in an amount of 5 to 95 parts of each 100parts of components (a) and (b) combined. Component (b) may be includedin an amount of from about 5 to 95 parts of each 100 parts of components(a) and (b) combined. Component (c) may be included in an amount of from5 to 100 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined.Meanwhile, component (d) may be included in an amount of from about 1.0parts to about 300 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b)combined.

In a particular embodiment, component (a) may be included in the mixturein an amount of about 70-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and(b) combined, component (b) may be included in the mixture in an amountof about 20-30 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined,component (c) may be included in the mixture in an amount of about 35-45wt % per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined; and component (d)may be included in the mixture in an amount of about 0.5-80 wt % of each100 wt % of components (a) and (b) and (d) combined.

In another particular embodiment, each low molecular weightacid-containing wax may have a molecular weight of from about 500 toabout 7,000.

In one embodiment, the mixture may contain at least 80 percent ofneutralized acid groups. In another embodiment, the mixture may containat least 90 percent of neutralized acid groups. In yet anotherembodiment, the mixture may contain 100 percent of neutralized acidgroups. In still another embodiment, the mixture may contain asufficient amount of a cation source to neutralize greater than about100% of all acid groups present.

In one embodiment, the at least one organic acid or salt thereof is afatty acid or fatty acid salt, or blends thereof. In a particularembodiment, the at least one organic acid or salt thereof may beselected from the group consisting of Magnesium Oleate, MagnesiumStearate, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the low molecular weight acid-containing wax may beselected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers,ethylene-meth acrylic acid copolymers, oxidized polyethylene, orcombinations thereof. In one embodiment, the non-acid polymer may beselected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylate copolymers;polyether esters; polyether amines; or combinations thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected from the groupconsisting of fatty acid esters, phosphate esters, or mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the melt flow index of the mixture may be greaterthan 1.0 g/10 min. In another embodiment, the melt flow index of themixture may be from about 1.0 g/10 min to about 4 g/10 min.

The resulting golf ball may have a CoR of from about 0.740 to about0.840. The golf ball may also have a compression of from about 40 toabout 135.

In a different embodiment, a golf ball of the invention comprises atleast one layer consisting of the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition consisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecularweight acid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of whichat least one is a low molecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least oneorganic acid or salt thereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer; whereineach low molecular weight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight offrom about 500 to about 30,000; wherein the mixture may contain at least70 percent of neutralized acid groups; and wherein the mixture has amelt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min.

The invention also relates to a method of making a golf ball of theinvention, comprising forming at least one of an innermost layer orouter layer that is comprised of a neutralized acid polymer composition,by (i) mixing: (a) at least one low molecular weight acid-containingwax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of which at least one is a lowmolecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least one organic acid or saltthereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer; wherein each low molecularweight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight of from about 500 toabout 30,000; and (ii) neutralizing at least 70 percent of acid groupspresent; such that the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionhas a melt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min. These steps, conditionsand properties may be further refined or tailored as discussed herein,for example with respect to: the molecular weight of each low molecularweight acid-containing wax, amounts of each component, melt flow indexof resulting plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition,Brookfield viscosity of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax,density of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax, percentneutralization of acid groups present in the mixture, and/or type oramount of plasticizer (or both), etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantageously, a golf ball of the invention incorporates at least onelayer of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition that displaysexcellent melt flow/processability and heat stability yet retainsdesired golf ball properties and characteristics well, thereby creatinglonger golf ball shelf-life. This is achieved by incorporating at leastone low molecular weight non-acid wax in the non-acid polymer componentof the mixture and meanwhile including at least one low molecular weightacid wax rather than blending high and low molecular weight acidpolymers. Otherwise, short-term changes can occur within the resultingplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition that would negativelyimpact the original properties of the material and therefore alsooriginal overall golf ball performance.

In one embodiment, the at least one layer consists of a four-componentmixture of (a) at least one low molecular weight acid-containing wax;(b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of which at least one is a lowmolecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least one organic acid or saltthereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer.

Golf ball shelf-life is an important consideration.Degradation/deterioration or other change in the original resultingdesired properties can occur due for example to migration of ingredientswithin the layer of neutralized acid polymer composition. Incorporatingat least on low molecular weight non-acid wax in the inventiveplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition facilitates, controlsand improves retention of the resulting material's original targetedproperties such as durability, adhesion, resilience (CoR), compression,and soft feel, due at least in part to interactions between the at leastone low molecular weight non-acid wax of component (b) and theingredients of components (a), (c), and (d), the plasticized neutralizedacid polymer compositions as disclosed herein. And this improvement isdesirably produced without the need for blending high and low molecularweight acid-containing polymer(s) and meanwhile in a wide range ofsofter feels without sacrificing physical properties, processabilityand/or desirable playing characteristics.

And this improvement is desirably produced without the need for blendinghigh and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s) and meanwhilein a wide range of softer feels without sacrificing physical properties,processability and/or desirable playing characteristics. For example, insome embodiments, a golf ball of the invention incorporating at leastone layer of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition canachieve and maintain improved golf ball CoR, particularly at lowercompressions and/or hardnesses.

The mixture may contain at least 70 percent of neutralized acid groups,or at least 80 percent of neutralized acid groups, or at least 90percent of neutralized acid groups, or 100 percent of neutralized acidgroups. In fact, in some embodiments, the mixture may contain asufficient amount of a cation source to neutralize, theoretically,greater than about 100% of all acid groups present, or 105% or greater,or 110% or greater, or 115% or greater, or 120% or greater, or 125% orgreater, or 200% or greater, or 250% or greater of all acid groupspresent.

Excellent melt flow/processability and heat stability of the resultingplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition are achieved using lowmolecular weight acid-containing wax(es) without high molecular weightacid-containing polymer(s). In this regard, each low molecular weightacid-containing wax may have a molecular weight as low as about 500, orfrom about 500 to about 7,000, or from about 500 to about 6,000, or fromabout 500 to about 5,000, or from about 500 to about 4,000, or fromabout 500 to about 3,000, or from about 500 to about 2,000, or fromabout 500 to about 1,000, or from about 700 to about 7,000, or fromabout 700 to about 6,000, or from about 700 to about 5,000, or fromabout 700 to about 4,000, or from about 700 to about 3,000, or fromabout 700 to about 2,000, or from about 700 to about 1,000.

Embodiments are envisioned, however, wherein a specific acid-containingwax is considered to have a low molecular weight in the range from about5,000 to about 15,000, or from about 10,000 to about 20,000, or fromabout 15,000 to about 25,000, or from about 20,000 to about 30,000, orfrom about 5,000 to about 10,000, or greater than about 10,000 to about15,000, or greater than about 15,000 to about 20,000, or greater thanabout 20,000 to about 25,000, or greater than about 25,000 to about30,000.

In one embodiment, the low molecular weight acid-containing wax isselected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers,ethylene-meth acrylic acid copolymers, oxidized polyethylene, orcombinations thereof. In one embodiment, the non-acid polymer isselected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylate copolymers;polyether esters; polyether amines; or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of low molecular weight acid-containing waxesinclude Honeywell ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers A-C® 540, A-C® 540,A-C® 580, A-C® 5120, A-C® 5135, A-C® 5150, and A-C® 5180. See, e.g., anylow molecular weight acid-containing waxes that may be identified inTABLE 1:

TABLE 1 Melt Index Softening (2.16 kg, Acid Monomer 190° C., AcidPolymer (wt %) (wt %) g/10 min) Nucrel ® 9-1 methacrylic acid n-butylacrylate 25  (9.0) (23.5) Nucrel ® 599 methacrylic acid none 450 (10.0)Nucrel ® 960 methyacrylic acid none 60 (15.0) Nucrel ® 0407 methacrylicacid none 7.5  (4.0) Nucrel ® 0609 methacrylic acid none 9  (6.0)Nucrel ® 1214 methacrylic acid none 13.5 (12.0) Nucrel ® 2906methacrylic acid none 60 (19.0) Nucrel ® 2940 methacrylic acid none 395(19.0) Nucrel ® 30707 acrylic acid none 7  (7.0) Nucrel ® 31001 acrylicacid none 1.3  (9.5) Nucrel ® AE methacrylic acid isobutyl acrylate 11 (2.0)  (6.0) Nucrel ® 2806 acrylic acid none 60 (18.0) Nucrel ® 0403methacrylic acid none 3  (4.0) Nucrel ® 925 methacrylic acid none 25(15.0) Escor ® AT-310 acrylic acid methyl acrylate 6  (6.5)  (6.5)Escor ® AT-325 acrylic acid methyl acrylate 20  (6.0) (20.0) Escor ®AT-320 acrylic acid methyl acrylate 5  (6.0) (18.0) Escor ® 5070 acrylicacid none 30  (9.0) Escor ® 5100 acrylic acid none 8.5 (11.0) Escor ®5200 acrylic acid none 38 (15.0) A-C ® 5120 acrylic acid none notreported (15)   A-C ® 540 acrylic acid none not reported (5)  A-C ® 580acrylic acid none not reported (10)   Primacor ® 3150 acrylic acid none5.8  (6.5) Primacor ® 3330 acrylic acid none 11  (3.0) Primacor ® 5985acrylic acid none 240 (20.5) Primacor ® 5986 acrylic acid none 300(20.5) Primacor ® 5980I acrylic acid none 300 (20.5) Primacor ® 5990Iacrylic acid none 1300 (20.0) XUS 60751.17 acrylic acid none 600 (19.8)XUS 60753.02L acrylic acid none 60 (17.0) Nucrel ® acid polymers arecommercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.Escor ® acid polymers are commercially available from ExxonMobilChemical Company. A-C ® acid polymers are low molecular weightacid-containing waxes commercially available from HoneywellInternational Inc. Primacor ® acid polymers and XUS acid polymers arecommercially available from The Dow Chemical Company.

Meanwhile, for purposes of the current invention, low molecular weightnon-acid waxes are polymerized from non-acid monomers. Acid groups, ifpresent, are added after polymerization by modifying the polymer throughsteps such as grafting and/or oxidation.

In one embodiment, the low molecular weight non-acid wax is selectedfrom the group consisting of: high density oxidized polyethylenehomopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleicanhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers;polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes;emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable lowmolecular weight non-acid waxes; chemically modified low molecularweight non-acid waxes, and combinations thereof.

In embodiments wherein component (b) includes one non-acid polymer, thesingle non-acid polymer is a low molecular weight non-acid wax.Embodiments are envisioned wherein all non-acid polymers of component(b) are low molecular weight non-acid waxes. Embodiments are alsoenvisioned wherein component (b) includes at least two non-acidpolymers, of which at least one is not a low molecular weight non-acidwax—as long as at least one of the at least two non-acid polymers isindeed a low molecular weight non-acid wax.

Thus, in one particular embodiment, component (b) consists of one ormore low molecular weight non-acid wax. In a different particularembodiment, at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax may beincluded in a blend of non-acid-polymers in an amount of at least 50 wt.% based on the total weight of the blend. For example, the at least onelow molecular weight non-acid wax may be included in the blend in anamount of from 50 wt. % to about 95 wt. %, or from 50 wt. % to about 85wt. %, or from 50 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, or from about 60 wt. % toabout 95 wt. %, or from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. %, or from about80 wt. % to about 95 wt. %, or from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, orfrom about 60 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, or from about 70 wt. % to about80 wt. %, or from 50 wt. % to less than 100 wt. %, or from about 60 wt.% to less than 100 wt. %, based on the total weight of the blend.

In another embodiment, at least one low molecular weight non-acid waxmay be included in a blend of non-acid-polymers in an amount of lessthan 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the blend. In a specific suchembodiment, the at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax isincluded in the blend in an amount of from at least 5 wt. % to less than50 wt. % based on the total weight of the blend. In other embodiments,the at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax may be included in ablend of non-acid-polymers in an amount of from about 10 wt. % to lessthan 50 wt. %, or from about 20 wt. % to less than 50 wt. %, or fromabout 30 wt. % to less than 50 wt. %, or from about 40 wt. % to lessthan 50 wt. %.

Embodiments are also envisioned wherein the at least one low molecularweight non-acid wax may be included in a blend of non-acid-polymers inan amount of from 5 wt. % to less than 100%, or from about 10 wt. % toabout 95 wt. %, or from about 20 wt. % to about 85 wt. %, or from about30 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, or from about 40 wt. % to about 65 wt. %, orfrom 45 wt. % to 65 wt. %.

The at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax is generally includedin the mixture in an amount of no greater than 35 wt. % based on thetotal weight of the mixture. In a specific embodiment, the at least onelow molecular weight non-acid wax is included in the mixture in anamount of from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % based on the total weightof the mixture. In other embodiments, the at least one low molecularweight non-acid wax is included in the mixture in an amount of from 5wt. % to 35 wt. %, or from 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, or from 5 wt. % to25 wt. %, or from 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, or from 5 wt. % to 20 wt.%, or from 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from 5 wt. % to 10 wt. %, orfrom 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. %, or from 15wt. % 5o 35 wt. %, or from 20 wt. % to 30 wt. % based on the totalweight of the mixture.

Non-limiting examples of suitable low molecular weight non-acid waxesinclude are from Honeywell including: (i) A-C®PE Homopolymers such asA-C®High-Density Oxidized PE Homopolymers; A-C®EVA Copolymers;A-C®Ethylene Maleic Anhydride Copolymers (MAPE); A-C®PP Maleic AnhydrideCopolymers (MAPP); A-C®PP Homopolymers; (ii) Homopolymers such asA-C®3A; A-C®6, 6A; A-C®7; A-C®8, 8A; A-C® 9, 9A, 9F; A-C® 16, 16A; A-C®617, 617A A-C®1810A; A-C®820A; A-C®1702; (iii) Oxidized homopolymerssuch as A-C®629, 629A; A-C®656; A-C®673A, 673P; A-C® 680, 680A; A-C®6702; A-C® 680PA, 680P; (iv) High density Oxidized homopolymers such asA-C® 307, 307A; A-C® 316, 316A; A-C® 325; A-C®330; A-C® 392; A-C® 395,395A; (v) Polypropylene homopolymers such as AC®1089; (vi)Copolymers/ethylene-vinyl acetate such as A-C® 400, 400A; A-C® 405S;A-C® 405M; A-C 405T; (vii) Oxidized copolymers such as A-C® 645P; (viii)Ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers such as A-C® 573A, 573P; (ix)Propylene maleic anhydride copolymers such as A-C® 596P; A-C® 597P; A-C®950P; (x) PE Micronized waxes such as ACUMIST® Micronized Polyolefinwaxes: ACumist® A-6; ACumist® A-12; ACumist® A-18; ACumist® A-45;ACumist® B-6; ACumist® B-9; ACumist® B-12; ACumist® B-18; ACumist® C-5;ACumist® C-12; ACumist® C-18; ACumist® D-5; ACumist®D-9; and/or (xi)PTFE Micronized wax blends such as ACumist® 3105; ACumist® 3205.

Additional non-limiting examples of suitable low molecular weightnon-acid waxes are from Westlake Chemical, including: (i) EPOLENE®Emulsifiable Grades of Oxidized Low Molecular Wt. non-acid waxes such asEE-2; E-10; E-14; E-14E; E-16; E-20; (ii) EPOLENE® Chemically ModifiedPolypropylene Grades such as E-43; (iii) EPOLENE® Nonemulsifiable Gradessuch as N-10; N-11; N-14; N-15; N-21; N-30; N-34; N-35; (iv) EPOLENE®Emulsifiable Grades such as EE-2; E-10; E-14; E-14E; E-16; E-20; (v)EPOLENE® Chemically Modified Polypropylene Grades such as E-43; and/or(vi) EPOLENE® Nonemulsifiable Grades such as N-10; N-11; N-14; N-15;N-21; N-30; N-34; N-35.

Without being bound to a particular theory, including at least one lowmolecular weight non-acid wax in component (b) of the four componentmixture forming at least one layer of plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition reduces migration of ingredients both within theplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition itself as well as andbetween that layer and an adjacent layer of material. Such migration canundesirably result in layer shrinkage and hardening, which in turn canreduce adhesion and durability, and change target CoR, and/orcompression, negatively impacting desired spin, feel, distance andoverall control. Meanwhile, the inventive mixtures have favorable meltflow index which means that the plasticized neutralized acid polymercompositions of the present invention are desirably processable which isimportant as intractability is sometimes a problem with this class ofcompositions—e.g., where ionomers are neutralized to a level that theybecome intractable.

Degree of durability and adhesion quality are generally observed bytesting several groups of golf balls periodically over a predeterminedtime duration using tests such as described further below.

In turn, non-limiting examples of suitable non-acid polymers forblending with the at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax includeelastomeric polymers such as:

-   -   (a) ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, particularly        polyethylene-butyl acrylate, polyethylene-methyl acrylate, and        polyethylene-ethyl acrylate;    -   (b) metallocene-catalyzed polymers;    -   (c) ethylene-butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide polymers and        ethylene-vinyl acetate-carbon monoxide polymers;    -   (d) polyethylene-vinyl acetates;    -   (e) ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers containing a cure site        monomer;    -   (f) ethylene-propylene rubbers and ethylene-propylene-diene        monomer rubbers;    -   (g) olefinic ethylene elastomers, particularly ethylene-octene        polymers, ethylene-butene polymers, ethylene-propylene polymers,        and ethylene-hexene polymers;    -   (h) styrenic block copolymers;    -   (i) polyester elastomers;    -   (j) polyamide elastomers;    -   (k) polyolefin rubbers, particularly polybutadiene,        polyisoprene, and styrene-butadiene rubber; and    -   (l) thermoplastic polyurethanes.

Examples of particularly suitable commercially available non-acidpolymers include, but are not limited to, Lotader® ethylene-alkylacrylate polymers and Lotryl® ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, andparticularly Lotader® 4210, 4603, 4700, 4720, 6200, 8200, and AX8900commercially available from Arkema Corporation; Elvaloy® ACethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, and particularly AC 1224, AC 1335, AC2116, AC3117, AC3427, and AC34035, commercially available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company; Fusabond® elastomeric polymers, such asethylene vinyl acetates, polyethylenes, metallocene-catalyzedpolyethylenes, ethylene propylene rubbers, and polypropylenes, andparticularly Fusabond® N525, C190, C250, A560, N416, N493, N614, P614,M603, E100, E158, E226, E265, E528, and E589, commercially availablefrom E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Honeywell A-C polyethylenesand ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, and particularly A-C 575, A-C573, and A-C 395, commercially available from Honeywell; Nordel® IPrubber, Elite® polyethylenes, Engage® elastomers, and Amplify®functional polymers, and particularly Amplify® GR 207, GR 208, GR 209,GR 213, GR 216, GR 320, GR 380, and EA 100, commercially available fromThe Dow Chemical Company; Enable® metallocene polyethylenes, Exact®plastomers, Vistamaxx® propylene-based elastomers, and Vistalon® EPDMrubber, commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company;Starflex® metallocene linear low density polyethylene, commerciallyavailable from LyondellBasell; Elvaloy® HP4051, HP441, HP661 and HP662ethylene-butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide polymers and Elvaloy® 741, 742and 4924 ethylene-vinyl acetate-carbon monoxide polymers, commerciallyavailable from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Evatane®ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers having a vinyl acetate content of from18 to 42%, commercially available from Arkema Corporation; Elvax®ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers having a vinyl acetate content of from7.5 to 40%, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; Vamac® G terpolymer of ethylene, methyl acrylate and a curesite monomer, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; Vistalon® EPDM rubbers, commercially available from ExxonMobilChemical Company; Kraton® styrenic block copolymers, and particularlyKraton® FG1901GT, FG1924GT, and RP6670GT, commercially available fromKraton Performance Polymers Inc.; Septon® styrenic block copolymers,commercially available from Kuraray Co., Ltd.; Hytrel® polyesterelastomers, and particularly Hytrel® 3078, 4069, and 556, commerciallyavailable from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Riteflex® polyesterelastomers, commercially available from Celanese Corporation; Pebax®thermoplastic polyether block amides, and particularly Pebax® 2533,3533, 4033, and 5533, commercially available from Arkema Inc.; Affinity®and Affinity® GA elastomers, Versify® ethylene-propylene copolymerelastomers, and Infuse® olefin block copolymers, commercially availablefrom The Dow Chemical Company; Exxelor® polymer resins, and particularlyExxelor® PE 1040, PO 1015, PO 1020, VA 1202, VA 1801, VA 1803, and VA1840, commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; andRoyaltuf® EPDM, and particularly Royaltuf® 498 maleic anhydride modifiedpolyolefin based on an amorphous EPDM and Royaltuf® 485 maleic anhydridemodified polyolefin based on an semi-crystalline EPDM, commerciallyavailable from Chemtura Corporation.

Additional examples of particularly suitable commercially availableelastomeric polymers include, but are not limited to, those given inTable 2 below.

TABLE 2 Melt Index (2.16 kg, % Maleic 190° C., % Ester Anhydride g/10min) Polyethylene Butyl Acrylates Lotader ® 3210 6 3.1 5 Lotader ® 42106.5 3.6 9 Lotader ® 3410 17 3.1 5 Lotryl ® 17BA04 16-19 0 3.5-4.5Lotryl ® 35BA320 33-37 0 260-350 Elvaloy ® AC 3117 17 0 1.5 Elvaloy ® AC3427 27 0 4 Elvaloy ® AC 34035 35 0 40 Polyethylene Methyl AcrylatesLotader ® 4503 19 0.3 8 Lotader ® 4603 26 0.3 8 Lotader ® AX 8900 26 8%GMA 6 Lotryl ® 24MA02 23-26 0 1-3 Elvaloy ® AC 12024S 24 0 20 Elvaloy ®AC 1330 30 0 3 Elvaloy ® AC 1335 35 0 3 Elvaloy ® AC 1224 24 0 2Polyethylene Ethyl Acrylates Lotader ® 6200 6.5 2.8 40 Lotader ® 82006.5 2.8 200 Lotader ® LX 4110 5 3.0 5 Lotader ® HX 8290 17 2.8 70Lotader ® 5500 20 2.8 20 Lotader ® 4700 29 1.3 7 Lotader ® 4720 29 0.3 7Elvaloy ® AC 2116 16 0 1

Acid groups react with a sufficient amount of cation source, in thepresence of a high molecular weight organic acid or salt thereof, suchthat the target amount of all acid groups present are neutralized.Suitable cation sources include metal ions and compounds of alkalimetals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals; metal ions andcompounds of rare earth elements; silicone, silane, and silicatederivatives and complex ligands; and combinations thereof. Preferredcation sources are metal ions and compounds of magnesium, sodium,potassium, cesium, calcium, barium, manganese, copper, zinc, tin,lithium, and rare earth metals. The low molecular weight acid-containingwax(es) may be at least partially neutralized prior to contacting thelow molecular weight acid-containing wax(es) with the cation source toform the plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition. Methods ofpreparing ionomers are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,264,272, and 4,351,931, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0013413.

Suitable high molecular weight organic acids are aliphatic organicacids, aromatic organic acids, saturated monofunctional organic acids,unsaturated monofunctional organic acids, multi-unsaturatedmonofunctional organic acids, and dimerized derivatives thereof.Particular examples of suitable organic acids include, but are notlimited to, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid,stearic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid,myristic acid, benzoic acid, palmitic acid, phenylacetic acid,naphthalenoic acid, dimerized derivatives thereof, and combinationsthereof. Salts of high molecular weight organic acids comprise thesalts, particularly the barium, lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth,chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium, strontium, titanium, tungsten,magnesium, and calcium salts, of aliphatic organic acids, aromaticorganic acids, saturated monofunctional organic acids, unsaturatedmonofunctional organic acids, multi-unsaturated monofunctional organicacids, dimerized derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitableorganic acids and salts thereof are more fully described, for example,in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,436, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the at least one organic acid or salt thereof is afatty acid or fatty acid salt, or blends thereof. In a particularembodiment, the at least one organic acid or salt thereof is selectedfrom the group consisting of Magnesium Oleate, Magnesium Stearate, orcombinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the plasticizer is selected from the group consistingof fatty acid esters, phosphate esters, or mixtures thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromN-butylbenzenesulfonamide (BBSA); N-ethylbenzenesulfonamide (EBSA);N-propylbenzenesulfonamide (PBSA); N-butyl-N-dodecylbenzenesulfonamide(BDBSA); N,N-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide (DMBSA);p-methylbenzenesulfonamide; o,p-toluene sulfonamide; p-toluenesulfonamide; 2-ethylhexyl-4-hydroxybenzoate;hexadecyl-4-hydroxybenzoate; 1-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate; dioctylphthalate; diisodecyl phthalate; di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate; andtri-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected frompolytetramethylene ether glycol, e.g., PolyTHF™ 250, commerciallyavailable from BASF; propylene carbonate, e.g., Jeffsol™ PC propylenecarbonate, commercially available from Huntsman Corp.; dipropyleneglycoldibenzoate, e.g., Benzoflex™ 284 plasticizer, commercially availablefrom Eastman Chemical; and combinations of two or more thereof.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected frombenzene mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acid esters; phthalates, such asbis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP),di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP, DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP),diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), dioctyl phthalate (DnOP), diisooctylphthalate (DIOP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP),and di-n-hexyl phthalate; iso- and terephthalates, such as dioctylterephthalate and dinonyl isophthalate; trimellitates, such as trimethyltrimellitate (TMTM), tri-(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM),tri-(n-octyl,n-decyl) trimellitate, tri-(heptyl,nonyl) trimellitate,tri-n-octyl trimellitate; and benzoates, such as 2-ethylhexyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, n-octyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and ethyl benzoate; andcombination of two or more thereof.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected from alkyldiacid esters commonly based on C4-C12 alkyl dicarboxylic acids, such asadipic, sebacic, azelaic, and maleic acids, e.g.,bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA), dimethyl adipate (DMAD), monomethyladipate (MMAD), dioctyl adipate (DOA), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), dibutylmaleate (DBM), diisobutyl maleate (DIBM), dioctyl sebacate (DOS), estersbased on glycols, polyglycols and polyhydric alcohols, such aspoly(ethylene glycol), mono- and di-esters, cyclohexanedimethanolesters, sorbitol derivatives, and triethylene glycol dihexanoate,diethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate, tetraethylene glycoldiheptanoate, and ethylene glycol dioleate.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected from fattyacids, fatty acid salts, fatty acid amides, and fatty acid esters,including, for example, compounds such as stearic, oleic, ricinoleic,behenic, myristic, linoleic, palmitic, and lauric acid esters, salts,and mono- and bis-amides. Suitable fatty acid salts include, forexample, metal stearates, erucates, laurates, oleates, palmitates,pelargonates, and the like. Also suitable are fatty alcohols andacetylated fatty alcohols, and carbonate esters, such as propylenecarbonate and ethylene carbonate. Particularly suitable are, forexample, alkyl oleates selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,octyl, and decyl oleates. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, theplasticizer is selected from ethyl oleate, butyl oleate, octyl oleat,and 2-ethyl hexyl oleate. Also particularly suitable are butyl stearate,methyl acetylricinoleate, zinc oleate, ethylene bis-oleamide, stearylerucamide, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, bariumstearate.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromglycerol-based esters, such as soy-bean, tung, or linseed oils, andtheir epoxidized derivatives; polymeric polyester plasticizers formedfrom the esterification reaction of diacids and diglycols; and thering-opening polymerization reaction of caprolactones with diacids ordiglycols. Citrate esters and acetylated citrate esters are particularlysuitable. Glycerol mono-, di-, and tri-oleates are also particularlysuitable.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromdicarboxylic acid molecules containing both a carboxylic acid ester anda carboxylic acid salt, such as the magnesium salt of mono-methyladipate and the zinc salt of mono-octyl glutarate; tri- andtetra-carboxylic acid esters and salts.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromorganophosphate and organosulfur compounds, such as tricresyl phosphate(TCP), tributyl phosphate (TBP), alkyl sulfonic acid phenyl esters(ASE); sulfonamides, such as N-ethyl toluene sulfonamide,N-(2-hydroxypropyl) benzene sulfonamide, N-(n-butyl) benzenesulfonamide; and thioester and thioether variants thereof.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromalcohols, glycols, polyglycols, and polyethers, such aspolytetramethylene ether glycol, poly(ethylene glycol), andpoly(propylene glycol), oleyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromsaturated and unsaturated, linear and cyclic, halogenated andnon-halogenated hydrocarbons, and particularly mineral oils,microcrystalline waxes, and low-molecular weight polybutadiene.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected frombutylbenzenesulphonamide (BBSA), ethylhexyl para-hydroxybenzoate (EHPB)and decylhexyl para-hydroxybenzoate (DHPB), as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,376,037 to Montanan et al., the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromesters and alkylamides, such as phthalic acid esters, including, forexample, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate,diheptyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate,diisodecyl phthalate, ditridecyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate,butylbenzyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, ethylphthalylethylglycolate, butylphthalylbutyl glycolate, diundecyl phthalate, anddi-2-ethylhexyl tetrahydrophthalate, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,538,099 to Isobe et al., the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromsulphonamides such as N-butylbenzenesulphonamide,ethyltoluene-suiphonamide, N-cyclohexyltoluenesulphonamide,2-ethylhexyl-para-hydroxybenzoate, 2-decylhexyl-para-hydroxybenzoate,oligoethyleneoxytetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and oligoethyleneoxymalonate; esters of hydroxybenzoic acid; esters and ethers oftetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and esters of citric acid or hydroxymalonicacid; and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,185 to Jacques et al,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticizer is selected fromsulfonamides, such as N-alkyl benzenesulfonamides andtoluenesufonamides, and particularly N-butylbenzenesulfonamide,N-(2-hydroxypropyl)benzenesulfonamide, N-ethyl-o-toluenesulfonamide,N-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonamide, o-toluenesulfonamide,p-toluenesulfonamide, and the sulfonamides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,297,737 to Fish, Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2010/0183837 to Hochstetter et al., the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the low molecular weight acid-containing wax can bereacted with the high molecular weight organic acid or salt thereof andthe cation source and plasticizer simultaneously. In other embodiments,the low molecular weight acid-containing wax can be reacted with thehigh molecular weight organic acid or salt thereof prior to the additionof the cation source and/or plastcizer.

Embodiments are envisioned wherein component (a) may be included in anamount of 5 to 95 parts of each 100 parts of components (a) and (b)combined; component (b) may be included in an amount of from about 5 to95 parts of each 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined; andcomponent (c) may be included in an amount of from 5 to 100 parts per100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined.

In a particular embodiment, component (a) is included in the mixture inan amount of about 70-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)combined, component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount of about20-30 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined, andcomponent (c) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 35-45 wt% per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined.

In an alternative embodiment, component (a) is included in the mixturein an amount of about 60-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and(b) combined, component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount ofabout 20-40 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined,and component (c) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 30-50wt % per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined.

In another embodiment, component (a) is included in the mixture in anamount of about 40-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)combined, component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount of about40-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined, andcomponent (c) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 40-80 wt% per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined.

In a different embodiment, component (a) is included in the mixture inan amount of about 20-30 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)combined, component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount of about70-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined, andcomponent (c) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 35-75 wt% per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined.

In a further embodiment, component (a) is included in the mixture in anamount of about 20-40 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)combined, component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount of about60-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined, andcomponent (c) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 30-80 wt% per 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined.

In particular embodiments, the low molecular weight acid-containingwax(es) is/are high melt index (“MI”)/low viscosity. By the term, “highmelt index,” it is meant a relatively low melt viscosity compositionhaving a melt index value of greater than or equal to 5.0 g/10 min, andmore preferably at least 10 g/10 min (ASTM D1238, condition E at 190°C.). By the term, “low melt index,” it is meant a relatively high meltviscosity composition having a melt index of less than 5.0 g/10 min. Thepresent invention contemplates the use of low molecular weightacid-containing waxes having a Brookfield viscosity of less than about1,000 cps or about 1100 cps or less, and a density of less than 0.96g/cc. Examples of high MI/low viscosity waxes include, but are notlimited to one or more of A-C® 5180, and/or A-C® 540, and/or A-C® 580,and/or A-C® 5135, and/or A-C®5150, commercially available from HoneywellInternational Inc.

The component (d) plasticizer is preferably present in the plasticizedneutralized acid polymer composition in an amount sufficient tosubstantially change the stiffness and/or hardness of the acidcopolymer. In one such embodiment, the plasticizer is present in anamount of 0.5% or 1% or 3% or 5% or 7% or 8% or 9% or 10% or 12% or 15%or 18% or 20% or 22% or 25% or 30% or 35% or 40% or 42% or 50% or 55% or60% or 66% or 71% or 75% or 80%, by weight based on the total weight ofcomponents (a) and (b) and (d) combined. In a different embodiment, theplasticizer is present in an amount of 0.5% or 1% or 3% or 5% or 7% or8% or 9% or 10% or 12% or 15% or 18% or 20% or 22% or 25% or 30% or 35%or 40% or 42% or 50% or 55% or 60% or 66% or 71% or 75% or 80%, byweight based on the total weight of the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition, or the plasticizer may be present in an amountwithin a range having a lower limit and an upper limit selected fromthese values.

Component (d) may also be included in an amount of from about 1.0 partsto about 300 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined. Inone embodiment, component (d) may be included in an amount of from about1.0 parts to about 250 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b)combined. In another embodiment, component (d) may be included in anamount of from about 1.0 parts to about 200 parts per 100 parts ofcomponents (a) and (b) combined. In yet another embodiment, component(d) may be included in an amount of from about 1.0 parts to about 150parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined. In still anotherembodiment, component (d) may be included in an amount of from about 1.0parts to about 100 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b)combined. In an alternative embodiment, component (d) may be included inan amount of from about 1.0 parts to about 50 parts per 100 parts ofcomponents (a) and (b) combined. In a different embodiment, component(d) may be included in an amount of from about 50 parts to about 150parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined. In otherembodiments, component (d) may be included in amounts of from about 25parts to about 175 parts per 100 parts, or from about 10 parts to about100 parts per 100 parts, or from about 100 parts to about 300 parts per100 parts, or from about 100 parts to about 200 parts per 100 parts, orfrom about 25 parts to about 75 parts per 100 parts, or from about 200parts to about 300 parts per 100 parts, or from about 250 parts to about300 parts per 100 parts, or from about 1.0 parts to about 25 parts per100 parts, or from about 275 parts to about 300 parts per 100 parts, ofcomponents (a) and (b) combined.

Component (d) may also or alternatively be included in the mixture in anamount of about 0.5-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)and (d) combined. In one embodiment, component (d) may be included inthe mixture in an amount of about 0.5-55 wt % of each 100 wt % ofcomponents (a) and (b) and (d) combined. In another embodiment,component (d) may be included in the mixture in an amount of about0.5-35 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) and (d) combined.In yet another embodiment, component (d) may be included in the mixturein an amount of about 10-75 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and(b) and (d) combined. In still another embodiment, component (d) may beincluded in the mixture in an amount of about 20-70 wt % of each 100 wt% of components (a) and (b) and (d) combined. In an alternativeembodiment, component (d) may be included in the mixture in an amount ofabout 30-75 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) and (d)combined. In a different embodiments, component (d) may be included inthe mixture in an amount of about 35-80 wt % of each 100 wt % ofcomponents (a) and (b) and (d) combined, or in an amount of about 40-80wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) and (d) combined, or inan amount of about 60-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b)and (d) combined.

The mixture may have a melt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min., orfrom 0.5 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min, or from 1.0 g/10 min to 5 g/10 min, orfrom about 0.5 g/10 min to about 4.0 g/10 min.

The golf ball may have a CoR of from about 0.740 to about 0.840. Thegolf ball may also have a compression of from about 40 to about 135.

In a specific non-limiting example, the mixture may include 73.3 wt % ofA-C®5120 (of each 100% of A-C®5120 and Elvaloy®34035 combined), 26.7 wt% of Elvaloy®34035 (of each 100% of A-C®5120 and Elvaloy®34035combined), and 41.6 wt % of oleic acid magnesium salt (per 100% ofA-C®5120 and Elvaloy®34035 combined), as set forth in example 67 ofTABLE 3 herein, along with a sufficient amount of plasticizer such asdisclosed herein.

Other non-limiting examples of components (a), (b) and (c) of aplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition are set forth inExamples 66 and 80 of TABLE 3 as follows:

TABLE 3 Example Component 1 wt % Component 2 wt % Component 3 wt % 1Primacor 5980I 78 Lotader 4603 22 magnesium oleate 41.6 2 Primacor 5980I84 Elvaloy AC 1335 16 magnesium oleate 41.6 3 Primacor 5980I 78 ElvaloyAC 3427 22 magnesium oleate 41.6 4 Primacor 5980I 78 Elvaloy AC 1335 22magnesium oleate 41.6 5 Primacor 5980I 78 Elvaloy AC 1224 22 magnesiumoleate 41.6 6 Primacor 5980I 78 Lotader 4720 22 magnesium oleate 41.6 7Primacor 5980I 85 Vamac G 15 magnesium oleate 41.6 8 Primacor 5980I 90Vamac G 10 magnesium oleate 41.6 8.1 Primacor 5990I 90 Fusabond 614 10magnesium oleate 41.6 9 Primacor 5980I 78 Vamac G 22 magnesium oleate41.6 10 Primacor 5980I 75 Lotader 4720 25 magnesium oleate 41.6 11Primacor 5980I 55 Elvaloy AC 3427 45 magnesium oleate 41.6 12 Primacor5980I 55 Elvaloy AC 1335 45 magnesium oleate 41.6 12.1 Primacor 5980I 55Elvaloy AC 34035 45 magnesium oleate 41.6 13 Primacor 5980I 55 ElvaloyAC 2116 45 magnesium oleate 41.6 14 Primacor 5980I 78 Elvaloy AC 3403522 magnesium oleate 41.6 14.1 Primacor 5990I 80 Elvaloy AC 34035 20magnesium oleate 41.6 15 Primacor 5980I 34 Elvaloy AC 34035 66 magnesiumoleate 41.6 16 Primacor 5980I 58 Vamac G 42 magnesium oleate 41.6 17Primacor 5990I 80 Fusabond 416 20 magnesium oleate 41.6 18 Primacor5980I 100 — — magnesium oleate 41.6 19 Primacor 5980I 78 Fusabond 416 22magnesium oleate 41.6 20 Primacor 5990I 100 — — magnesium oleate 41.6 21Primacor 5990I 20 Fusabond 416 80 magnesium oleate 41.6 21.1 Primacor5990I 20 Fusabond 416 80 magnesium oleate 31.2 21.2 Primacor 5990I 20Fusabond 416 80 magnesium oleate 20.8 22 Clarix 011370 30.7 Fusabond 41669.3 magnesium oleate 41.6 23 Primacor 5990I 20 Royaltuf 498 80magnesium oleate 41.6 24 Primacor 5990I 80 Royaltuf 498 20 magnesiumoleate 41.6 25 Primacor 5990I 80 Kraton FG1924GT 20 magnesium oleate41.6 26 Primacor 5990I 20 Kraton FG1924GT 80 magnesium oleate 41.6 27Nucrel 30707 57 Fusabond 416 43 magnesium oleate 41.6 28 Primacor 5990I80 Hytrel 3078 20 magnesium oleate 41.6 29 Primacor 5990I 20 Hytrel 307880 magnesium oleate 41.6 30 Primacor 5980I 26.8 Elvaloy AC 34035 73.2magnesium oleate 41.6 31 Primacor 5980I 26.8 Lotader 4603 73.2 magnesiumoleate 41.6 32 Primacor 5980I 26.8 Elvaloy AC 2116 73.2 magnesium oleate41.6 33 Escor AT-320 30 Elvaloy AC 34035 52 magnesium oleate 41.6Primacor 5980I 18 34 Nucrel 30707 78.5 Elvaloy AC 34035 21.5 magnesiumoleate 41.6 35 Nucrel 30707 78.5 Fusabond 416 21.5 magnesium oleate 41.636 Primacor 5980I 26.8 Fusabond 416 73.2 magnesium oleate 41.6 37Primacor 5980I 19.5 Fusabond N525 80.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 38 Clarix011536- 26.5 Fusabond N525 73.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 01 39 Clarix011370- 31 Fusabond N525 69 magnesium oleate 41.6 01 39.1 XUS 60758.08L29.5 Fusabond N525 70.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 40 Nucrel 31001 42.5Fusabond N525 57.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 41 Nucrel 30707 57.5 FusabondN525 42.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 42 Escor AT-320 66.5 Fusabond N525 33.5magnesium oleate 41.6 43 Nucrel 21 Fusabond N525 79 magnesium oleate41.6 2906/2940 44 Nucrel 960 26.5 Fusabond N525 73.5 magnesium oleate41.6 45 Nucrel 1214 33 Fusabond N525 67 magnesium oleate 41.6 46 Nucrel599 40 Fusabond N525 60 magnesium oleate 41.6 47 Nucrel 9-1 44.5Fusabond N525 55.5 magnesium oleate 41.6 48 Nucrel 0609 67 Fusabond N52533 magnesium oleate 41.6 49 Nucrel 0407 100 — — magnesium oleate 41.6 50Primacor 5980I 90 Fusabond N525 10 magnesium oleate 41.6 51 Primacor5980I 80 Fusabond N525 20 magnesium oleate 41.6 52 Primacor 5980I 70Fusabond N525 30 magnesium oleate 41.6 53 Primacor 5980I 60 FusabondN525 40 magnesium oleate 41.6 54 Primacor 5980I 50 Fusabond N525 50magnesium oleate 41.6 55 Primacor 5980I 40 Fusabond N525 60 magnesiumoleate 41.6 56 Primacor 5980I 30 Fusabond N525 70 magnesium oleate 41.657 Primacor 5980I 20 Fusabond N525 80 magnesium oleate 41.6 58 Primacor5980I 10 Fusabond N525 90 magnesium oleate 41.6 59 — — Fusabond N525 100magnesium oleate 41.6 60 Nucrel 0609 40 Fusabond N525 20 magnesiumoleate 41.6 Nucrel 0407 40 61 Nucrel AE 100 — — magnesium oleate 41.6 62Primacor 5980I 30 Fusabond N525 70 CA1700 soya fatty 41.6 acid magnesiumsalt 63 Primacor 5980I 30 Fusabond N525 70 CA1726 linoleic 41.6 acidmagnesium salt 64 Primacor 5980I 30 Fusabond N525 70 CA1725 41.6conjugated linoleic acid magnesium salt 65 Primacor 5980I 30 FusabondN525 70 Century 1107 41.6 isostearic acid magnesium salt 66 A-C 512073.3 Lotader 4700 26.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 67 A-C 5120 73.3Elvaloy 34035 26.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 68 Primacor 5980I 78.3Lotader 4700 21.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt and sodium salt 69Primacor 5980I 47 Elvaloy AC34035 13 — — A-C 5180 40 70 Primacor 5980I30 Fusabond N525 70 Sylfat FA2 41.6 magnesium salt 71 Primacor 5980I 30Fusabond N525 70 oleic acid 31.2 magnesium salt 10 ethyl oleate 72Primacor 5980I 80 Fusabond N525 20 sebacic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 73Primacor 5980I 60 — — — — A-C 5180 40 74 Primacor 5980I 78.3 — — oleicacid 41.6 A-C 575 21.7 magnesium salt 75 Primacor 5980I 78.3 Exxelor VA1803 21.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 76 Primacor 5980I 78.3 A-C 39521.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 77 Primacor 5980I 78.3 Fusabond C19021.7 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 78 Primacor 5980I 30 Kraton FG 190170 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 79 Primacor 5980I 30 Royaltuf 498 70oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 80 A-C 5120 40 Fusabond N525 60 oleicacid 41.6 magnesium salt 81 Primacor 5980I 30 Fusabond N525 70 erucicacid 41.6 magnesium salt 82 Primacor 5980I 30 CB23 70 oleic acid 41.6magnesium salt 83 Primacor 5980I 30 Nordel IP 4770 70 oleic acid 41.6magnesium salt 84 Primacor 5980I 48 Fusabond N525 20 oleic acid 41.6 A-C5180 32 magnesium salt 85 Nucrel 2806 22.2 Fusabond N525 77.8 oleic acid41.6 magnesium salt 86 Primacor 3330 61.5 Fusabond N525 38.5 oleic acid41.6 magnesium salt 87 Primacor 3330 45.5 Fusabond N525 20 oleic acid41.6 Primacor 3150 34.5 magnesium salt 88 Primacor 3330 28.5 — — oleicacid 41.6 Primacor 3150 71.5 magnesium salt 89 Primacor 3150 67 FusabondN525 33 oleic acid 41.6 magnesium salt 90 Primacor 5980I 55 Elvaloy AC34035 45 oleic acid 31.2 magnesium salt 10 ethyl oleate

The ingredients of TABLE 3 are identifiable as follows. A-C® 5120ethylene acrylic acid copolymer with an acrylic acid content of 15% (lowmolecular weight acid-containing wax), A-C® 5180 ethylene acrylic acidcopolymer with an acrylic acid content of 20% (low molecular weightacid-containing wax), A-C® 395 high density oxidized polyethylenehomopolymer, and A-C® 575 ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, arecommercially available from Honeywell; CB23 high-cis neodymium-catalyzedpolybutadiene rubber, is commercially available from LanxessCorporation; CA1700 Soya fatty acid, CA1726 linoleic acid, and CA1725conjugated linoleic acid, are commercially available from ChemicalAssociates; Century® 1107 highly purified isostearic acid mixture ofbranched and straight-chain C18 fatty acid, is commercially availablefrom Arizona Chemical; Clarix® 011370-01 ethylene acrylic acid copolymerwith an acrylic acid content of 13% and Clarix® 011536-01 ethyleneacrylic acid copolymer with an acrylic acid content of 15%, arecommercially available from A. Schulman Inc.; Elvaloy® AC 1224ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer with a methyl acrylate content of 24wt %, Elvaloy® AC 1335 ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer with a methylacrylate content of 35 wt %, Elvaloy® AC 2116 ethylene-ethyl acrylatecopolymer with an ethyl acrylate content of 16 wt %, Elvaloy® AC 3427ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer having a butyl acrylate content of 27wt %, and Elvaloy® AC 34035 ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer having abutyl acrylate content of 35 wt %, are commercially available from E. I.du Pont de Nemours and Company; Escor® AT-320 ethylene acid terpolymer,is commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Exxelor® VA1803 amorphous ethylene copolymer functionalized with maleic anhydride,is commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Fusabond®N525 metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene, Fusabond® N416 chemicallymodified ethylene elastomer, Fusabond® C190 anhydride modified ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer, and Fusabond® P614 functionalizedpolypropylene, are commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemoursand Company; Hytrel® 3078 very low modulus thermoplastic polyesterelastomer, is commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; Kraton® FG 1901 GT linear triblock copolymer based on styreneand ethylene/butylene with a polystyrene content of 30% and Kraton®FG1924GT linear triblock copolymer based on styrene andethylene/butylene with a polystyrene content of 13%, are commerciallyavailable from Kraton Performance Polymers Inc.; Lotader® 4603, 4700 and4720, random copolymers of ethylene, acrylic ester and maleic anhydride,are commercially available from Arkema Corporation; Nordel® IP 4770 highmolecular weight semi-crystalline EPDM rubber, is commercially availablefrom The Dow Chemical Company; Nucrel® 9-1, Nucrel® 599, Nucrel® 960,Nucrel® 0407, Nucrel® 0609, Nucrel® 1214, Nucrel® 2906, Nucrel® 2940,Nucrel® 30707, Nucrel® 31001, and Nucrel® AE acid copolymers, arecommercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company;Primacor® 3150, 3330, 59801, and 59901 acid copolymers, are commerciallyavailable from The Dow Chemical Company; Royaltuf® 498 maleic anhydridemodified polyolefin based on an amorphous EPDM, is commerciallyavailable from Chemtura Corporation; Sylfat® FA2 tall oil fatty acid, iscommercially available from Arizona Chemical; Vamac® G terpolymer ofethylene, methyl acrylate and a cure site monomer, is commerciallyavailable from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; and XUS 60758.08Lethylene acrylic acid copolymer with an acrylic acid content of 13.5%,is commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company.

The at least one layer of a golf ball of the invention may in someembodiments comprise the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition as well as additives, fillers and combinations thereof.

In a different embodiment, a golf ball of the invention comprises atleast one layer consisting of the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition consisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecularweight acid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of whichat least one is a low molecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least oneorganic acid or salt thereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer; whereineach low molecular weight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight offrom about 500 to about 30,000; wherein the mixture may contain at least70 percent of neutralized acid groups; and wherein the mixture has amelt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min.

Generally, components (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the mixture may be fedsimultaneously or individually into a melt extruder, such as a single ortwin screw extruder. Neutralization occurs in the melt or molten statein the mixer or extruder. The components are then blended in the mixeror the extruder prior to being extruded as a strand from the die-head.

Neutralization occurs by reacting the low molecular weightacid-containing polymer(s) with a sufficient amount of cation source, inthe presence of an organic acid or salt thereof, such that the desiredpercent of all acid groups present are neutralized. The low molecularweight acid-containing polymer(s) may also be at least partiallyneutralized prior to the above process.

In one embodiment, the low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s)is/are reacted with the organic acid or salt thereof and the cationsource simultaneously. In another embodiment, the low molecular weightacid-containing polymer(s) is/are reacted with the organic acid or saltthereof prior to the addition of the cation source and/or plasticizer.For example, the low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s) may bemelt-blended with an organic acid or a salt of the organic acid, and asufficient amount of a cation source may be added to increase the levelof neutralization of all the acid moieties (including those in the lowmolecular weight acid-containing polymer(s) and in the organic acid) toat least about 70 percent or as otherwise targeted. However, any methodof neutralization available to those of ordinary skill in the art mayalso be suitably employed. After the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition is prepared, the composition is formed into pelletsand maintained in such a state until molding is desired.

In some embodiments, the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition may be prepared through letdowns of a pre-mixture ofcomponents (a) and (b). The pre-mixture of components (a) and (b) may beblended with components (c) and (d) in a mixer or an extruder, forexample. Once again, neutralization will occur in the melt or moltenstate in the mixer or extruder. The resulting mixture preferablycontains at least 70 percent of neutralized acid groups, and in someembodiments even more preferably contains greater than 70, or greaterthan 80, or greater than 90 or 100 percent of neutralized acid groups,or as otherwise disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, additives and/or fillers, may be added anduniformly mixed or otherwise combined with the neutralized acid polymercomposition before initiation of the molding process. Suitable additivesand fillers include, but are not limited to, chemical blowing andfoaming agents, optical brighteners, coloring agents, fluorescentagents, whitening agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, defoamingagents, processing aids, mica, talc, nano-fillers, antioxidants,stabilizers, softening agents, fragrance components, plasticizers,impact modifiers, TiO₂, acid copolymer wax, surfactants, and fillers,such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, calciumoxide, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, barium carbonate, clay,tungsten, tungsten carbide, silica, lead silicate, regrind (recycledmaterial), and mixtures thereof.

The plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition is then injectedinto a golf ball mold to form the at least one golf ball layer. The golfball layer may include a core layer, an intermediate layer, a coverlayer, coating layer, a tie layer, or combinations thereof.

Golf balls of the invention may be formed using a variety of applicationtechniques. For example, golf ball layers may be formed usingcompression molding, flip molding, injection molding, retractable pininjection molding, reaction injection molding (RIM), liquid injectionmolding (LIM), casting, vacuum forming, powder coating, flow coating,spin coating, dipping, spraying, and the like. Conventionally,compression molding and injection molding are applied to thermoplasticmaterials, whereas RIM, liquid injection molding, and casting areemployed on thermoset materials.

In one embodiment, the golf ball layers may be formed using injectionmolding. When injection molding is used, the plasticized neutralizedacid polymer composition is typically in a pelletized or granulated formthat can be easily fed into the throat of an injection molding machinewherein it is melted and conveyed via a screw in a heated barrel attemperatures of from 150° F. to 600° F., preferably from 200° F. to 500°F. The molten composition is ultimately injected into a closed moldcavity, which may be cooled, at ambient or at an elevated temperature,but typically the mold is cooled to a temperature of from 50° F. to 70°F. After residing in the closed mold for a time of from 1 second to 300seconds, preferably from 20 seconds to 120 seconds, the core and/or coreplus one or more additional core or cover layers is removed from themold and either allowed to cool at ambient or reduced temperatures or isplaced in a cooling fluid such as water, ice water, dry ice in asolvent, or the like.

It was previously believed that low molecular weight ionomer waxes couldonly be used as additives to improve melt flow, and even then, inmaximum amounts of 20-30% of a blend with high molecular weight acidpolymers. Unfortunately, acid and ester levels were limited by availablehigh molecular weight ionomer resins. Thus, golf balls of the inventionadvantageously widen the range of the very and highly neutralizedpolymer compositions which may be produced over such prior predominantlyhigh molecular weight acid-containing blends, and achieve higher thanexpected CoR and compression, by incorporating plasticized high meltflow ionomers in the form of low molecular weight waxes in the mixturesdescribed and claimed herein without using any high molecular weightacid-containing polymers. Mixing low molecular weight E/X waxes, such asthe A-C and AClyn waxes from Honeywell with E/Y polymers, such asLotader and Elvaloy, when very or fully neutralized with a metal cation,achieve such higher than expected CoR and compression. In this regard,the ester-containing very or highly neutralized polymers do not requirethe ester to reside on the same chain as the acid group, such that theE/X, E/Y blends are possible. Herein, E is an olefin (e.g., ethylene), Xis a carboxylic acid such as acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic, maleic,fumaric, or itaconic acid, and Y is a softening comonomer such as vinylesters of aliphatic carboxylic acids wherein the acid has from 2 to 10carbons, alkyl ethers wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 10 carbons,and alkyl acrylates such as alkyl methyl acrylates wherein the alkylgroup has from 1 to 10 carbons; and blends of two or more thereof.Furthermore, for purposes of this invention, acid polymers have acidgroups that are non-grafted. In particular, maleic anhydride modifiedpolymers are defined herein as a non-acid polymer despite havinganhydride groups that can ring-open to the acid form during processingof the polymer to form the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition herein. The maleic anhydride groups are grafted onto apolymer, are present at relatively very low levels, and are not part ofthe polymer backbone, as is the case with the acid copolymers.

Accordingly, conventional predominantly high molecular weightacid-containing ionomers and/or their corresponding base resins are notnecessary or required to achieve desired golf ball properties.

The cores of the invention may be formed by any suitable method known tothose of ordinary skill in art. When the cores are formed from athermoset material, compression molding is a particularly suitablemethod of forming the core. In a thermoplastic core embodiment, on theother hand, the cores may be injection molded.

The intermediate layer and/or cover layer may also be formed using anysuitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, an intermediate layer may be formed by blow molding and coveredwith a dimpled cover layer formed by injection molding, compressionmolding, casting, vacuum forming, powder coating, and the like.

As discussed briefly above, the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition of the present invention may be used with any type of ballconstruction including, but not limited to, one-piece, two-piece,three-piece, and four or more piece designs, a double core, a doublecover, an intermediate layer(s), a multilayer core, and/or a multi-layercover depending on the type of performance desired of the ball. That is,the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the inventionmay be used in a core, an intermediate layer, and/or a cover of a golfball, each of which may have a single layer or multiple layers. In oneembodiment, the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of theinvention are formed into a core layer. In another embodiment, theplasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the invention areformed into an intermediate layer. In yet another embodiment, theplasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the invention areformed into a cover layer.

The core or core layer(s) may be formed from the plasticized neutralizedacid polymer compositions of the invention. For example, a core formedfrom the plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition of theinvention may be covered with a castable thermoset or injection moldablethermoplastic material or any of the other cover materials discussedbelow. The core may have a diameter of about 0.5 inches to about 1.64inches and the cover layer thickness may range from about 0.03 inches toabout 0.12 inches.

When not formed from the plasticized neutralized acid polymercompositions of the invention, any core material known to one ofordinary skill in that art is suitable for use in the golf balls of theinvention. In particular, the core may be solid, semi-solid, hollow,fluid-filled or powder-filled, one-piece or multi-component cores. Asused herein, the term “fluid” includes a liquid, a paste, a gel, a gas,or any combination thereof; the term “fluid-filled” includes hollowcenters or cores; and the term “semi-solid” refers to a paste, a gel, orthe like. Suitable core materials include thermoset materials, such asrubber, styrene butadiene, polybutadiene, isoprene, polyisoprene,trans-isoprene, as well as thermoplastics such as ionomer resins,polyamides or polyesters, and thermoplastic and thermoset polyurethaneelastomers. In addition, the compositions of the invention may beincorporated into the core.

An intermediate layer, such as an outer core layer or inner cover layer,i.e., any layer(s) disposed between the inner core and the outer coverof a golf ball may be formed from the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer compositions of the present invention. An intermediate layer maybe used, if desired, with a multilayer cover or a multilayer core, orwith both a multilayer cover and a multilayer core. As with the core,the intermediate layer may also include a plurality of layers.

In one embodiment, the intermediate layer is formed, at least in partfrom the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of theinvention. For example, an intermediate layer or inner cover layerhaving a thickness of about 0.015 inches to about 0.06 inches may bedisposed about a core. In this aspect of the invention, the core, whichhas a diameter ranging from about 1.5 inches to about 1.59 inches, mayalso be formed from a plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionsof the invention or, in the alternative, from a conventional rubbercomposition. The inner ball may be covered by a castable thermoset orinjection moldable thermoplastic material or any of the other covermaterials discussed below. In this aspect of the invention, the covermay have a thickness of about 0.02 inches to about 0.045 inches,preferably about 0.025 inches to about 0.04 inches.

In another embodiment, the intermediate layer is covered by an innercover layer, either of which may independently be formed from theplasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the invention orother material that produces the desired performance results. The centermay be formed from plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions ofthe invention or any of the other core materials previously discussed.The core may be covered by an outer core layer to form a core, whichalso may be formed form the plasticized neutralized acid polymercompositions of the invention, any of the core materials discussedabove, or castable thermoset materials or injection moldablethermoplastic materials. The outer core layer may have a thickness ofabout 0.125 inches to about 0.500 inches. The core may then be coveredwith a casing layer having a thickness of about 0.015 inches to about0.06 inches formed from a composition of the invention, a castablethermoset material or an injection moldable thermoplastic material. Theouter cover layer, which preferably has a thickness of about 0.02 inchesto about 0.045 inches, may be formed from a castable thermoset materialor an injection moldable thermoplastic material or other suitable covermaterials discussed below and known in the art.

When not formed from the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition of the invention, the intermediate layer(s) may also beformed, at least in part, from one or more homopolymeric or copolymericmaterials, such as ionomers, primarily or fully non-ionomericthermoplastic materials, vinyl resins, polyolefins, polyurethanes,polyureas, polyamides, acrylic resins and blends thereof, olefinicthermoplastic rubbers, block copolymers of styrene and butadiene,isoprene or ethylene-butylene rubber, copoly(ether-amide), polyphenyleneoxide resins or blends thereof, and thermoplastic polyesters.

The cover provides the interface between the ball and a club. Propertiesthat are desirable for the cover are good moldability, high moistureresistance, high abrasion resistance, high impact resistance, high tearstrength, high resilience, and good mold release, among others. Thecover layer may be formed, at least in part, from plasticizedneutralized acid polymer compositions of the invention. However, whennot formed from the compositions of the invention, the cover may beformed from one or more homopolymeric or copolymeric materials asdiscussed in the section above pertaining to the intermediate layer.Golf balls according to the invention may also be formed having a coverof polyurethane, polyurea, and polybutadiene materials for example.

It is envisioned that in some embodiments, a golf ball of the inventionmay incorporate two or greater different layers of differing plasticizedneutralized acid polymer compositions. In this regard, two givenplasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions may differ withrespect type or relative amount of plasticizer (d) and/or with respectto at least one of components (a) (the at least one low molecular weightacid-containing wax); (b) (the at least one non-acid polymer); and (c)(the at least one organic acid or salt thereof); and/or the percent ofacid groups that are neutralized. In some such embodiments, these twodiffering layers may be adjacent. In other embodiments, the two layersmay have at least one layer disposed there between. In an embodimentwherein at least one layer is disposed there between, each of thoselayers disposed there between may be ionomeric layers that differ fromthe first layer and second layer. Alternatively, one or more of thoselayers disposed there between may be non-ionomeric such as a rubbercomposition or a thermoset or thermoplastic polyurethane or otherconventional material.

Accordingly, differing plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionsmay be preselected and coordinated in golf ball constructions of theinvention to target desirable playing characteristics.

It is also understood that two given layers of a golf ball of theinvention may incorporate the same plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition and yet differ due to the different type and/or amount ofadditives, fillers, etc. combined with each plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition prior to extrusion, etc.

Meanwhile, a given plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition willbe softer and have a lower modulus than a neutralized acid polymercomposition that does not contain component (d) but is otherwiseidentical in formulation—that is, with respect to mixture components(a), (b), (c), and percent of acid groups that are neutralized. Such aneutralized acid polymer composition shall be referred to herein as a“non-plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition”. In this regard,embodiments are envisioned wherein at least one layer of a golf ball ofthe invention incorporates a plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition, while at least one other layer incorporates anon-plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition. These layers maybe strategically preselected and coordinated in golf ball constructionsof a golf ball of the invention in order to target a wide range ofdesirable playing characteristics.

In one particular embodiment, a non-plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition has a first flexural modulus value, a plasticizedneutralized acid polymer composition has a second flexural modulusvalue, wherein the second flexural modulus value is at least 1% less; orat least 2% less; or at least 4% less; or at least 8% less; or at least10% less than the first flexural modulus value. In a particular aspectof this embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionhas a flexural modulus of about 500 psi (or less), or a flexural modulusof 1,000 psi or 1,600 psi or 2,000 psi or 4,200 psi or 7,500 psi or9,000 psi or 10,000 psi or 20,000 psi or 40,000 psi or 50,000 psi or60,000 psi or 70,000 psi or 80,000 psi or 90,000 psi or 100,000 psi or110,000 psi or 120,000 psi or 130,000 psi or 140,000 psi or 160,000 psior 180,000 psi or 200,000 psi or 300,000 psi, or a flexural moduluswithin a range having a lower limit and an upper limit selected fromthese values.

In another particular embodiment, a non-plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition has a first Tg value, a plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition has a second Tg value, wherein the second Tg valueis at least 1° less, or at least 2° less, or at least 4° less, or atleast 8° less, or at least 10° less than the first Tg value, or thesecond Tg value is within 1° of the first Tg value.

In another particular embodiment, a non-plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition has a first compression, a plasticized neutralizedacid polymer composition has a second compression, wherein the secondcompression is equal to or less than the first compression.

Embodiments are also envisioned wherein a golf ball of the inventionincorporates a layer of plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionand a different layer that incorporates conventional golf ball materialssuch as rubber, thermoset or thermoplastic polyurethanes, orionomers/HNPs (highly neutralized polymers)/VNPs (very neutralizedpolymers) in order to target and achieve a wide range of playingcharacteristics.

Any or all of these possibilities may be implemented within and/orbetween cores, intermediate layers, cover layers, and even coatinglayers of golf balls of the invention.

In particular embodiments, the plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition may have a Shore D hardness of 5 or 8 or 10 or 12 or 14 or28 or 30 or 32 or 34 or 35 or 38 or 40, or a Shore D hardness within arange having a lower limit and an upper limit of these values.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition may have a Shore C hardness of 10 or 13 or 15 or 17or 19 or 44 or 46 or 48 or 50 or 53 or 55, or a Shore C hardness withina range having a lower limit and an upper limit of these values.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition may have a Shore D hardness of 25 or 28 or 30 or 32or 35 or 36 or 38 or 40 or 42 or 45 or 48 or 50 or 54 or 56 or 60, or aShore D hardness within a range having a lower limit and an upper limitof these values.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition may have a Shore C hardness of 30 or 33 or 35 or 37or 39 or 41 or 43 or 62 or 64 or 66 or 68 or 71 or 73 or 75, or a ShoreC hardness within a range having a lower limit and an upper limit ofthese values.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition may have a Shore D hardness of 42 or 44 or 47 or 51or 53 or 58 or 60 or 65 or 72 or 77 or 80 or 84 or 91 or 95, or a ShoreD hardness within a range having a lower limit and an upper limit ofthese values.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition may have a Shore C hardness of 57 or 59 or 62 or 66or 72 or 75 or 78 or 84 or 87 or 90 or 93 or 95 or 97 or 99, or a ShoreC hardness within a range having a lower limit and an upper limit ofthese values.

In one non-limiting example, a golf ball of the invention comprises: (a)a center having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and acenter hardness of 50 Shore C or greater; (b) an outer core layer havinga surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; (c) an inner cover layerhaving a material hardness less than the surface hardness of the outercore layer; and (d) an outer cover layer; wherein one of the center andthe outer core layer comprises a plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition; and wherein one of the center composition and the outercore layer comprises a polymer composition that differs from theplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition.

In one such particular embodiment, a second surface hardness of thecenter is greater than the surface hardness. Alternatively, the secondsurface hardness of the center may be less than the surface hardness. Ina different embodiment, the center may have a center hardness of 75Shore C or greater, while the outer core layer has a surface hardness of50 Shore C or greater.

In one such embodiment, the polymer composition is a non-plasticizedneutralized acid polymer composition, and the plasticized neutralizedacid polymer composition therefore has a flexural modulus that is atleast 10% less than a modulus of the polymer composition. In such anembodiment, the plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition mayalternatively have a flexural modulus that is at least 25% less than amodulus of the polymer composition. The transition glass temperature Tgof the plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition would also beless than Tg of the non-plasticized neutralized acid polymercomposition.

In another embodiment, the polymer composition is a differingplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition that differs from theplasticized neutralized acid polymer composition with respect to thetype or amount of any or combinations of components (a), (b), (c),and/or (d). In yet other embodiments, the polymer composition is aconventional polymer composition such as a rubber-based, material, athermoset or thermoplastic polyurethane, ionomer, etc. In both suchembodiments, the flexural modulus and/or Tg value of the plasticizedneutralized acid polymer composition may be greater than or less thanthe flexural modulus and/or Tg value of the polymer composition,depending on the specific polymer composition selected and the playingcharacteristics being targeted.

In a different embodiment, a golf ball of the invention comprises asubassembly, an inner cover layer disposed about the subassembly, and anouter cover layer disposed about the inner cover layer, wherein at leastone of the inner cover layer and outer cover layer is the at least onelayer. In such embodiments, the subassembly may have any knownconstruction such as a single core, a dual core (center surrounded byouter core layer), or core having any number of layers, or a coresurrounded by any number of intermediate layers.

The properties such as core diameter, intermediate layer and cover layerthickness, hardness, and compression have been found to affect playcharacteristics such as spin, initial velocity, and feel of the presentgolf balls.

Dimensions of golf ball components, i.e., thickness and diameter, mayvary depending on the desired properties. For the purposes of theinvention, any layer thickness may be employed. For example, the presentinvention relates to golf balls of any size, although the golf ballpreferably meets USGA standards of size and weight.

The preferred diameter of the golf balls is from about 1.680 inches toabout 1.800 inches, more preferably from about 1.680 inches to about1.760 inches. A diameter of from about 1.680 inches (43 mm) to about1.740 inches (44 mm) is most preferred; however diameters anywhere inthe range of from 1.700 to about 1.950 inches can be used.

Preferably, the overall diameter of the core and all intermediate layersis about 80 percent to about 98 percent of the overall diameter of thefinished ball. The core may have a diameter ranging from about 0.09inches to about 1.65 inches. In one embodiment, the diameter of the coreof the present invention is about 1.2 inches to about 1.630 inches. Forexample, when part of a two-piece ball according to invention, the coremay have a diameter ranging from about 1.5 inches to about 1.62 inches.In another embodiment, the diameter of the core is about 1.3 inches toabout 1.6 inches, preferably from about 1.39 inches to about 1.6 inches,and more preferably from about 1.5 inches to about 1.6 inches. In yetanother embodiment, the core has a diameter of about 1.55 inches toabout 1.65 inches, preferably about 1.55 inches to about 1.60 inches.

The cover typically has a thickness to provide sufficient strength, goodperformance characteristics, and durability. In one embodiment, thecover thickness is from about 0.02 inches to about 0.12 inches,preferably about 0.1 inches or less. For example, when part of atwo-piece ball according to invention, the cover may have a thicknessranging from about 0.03 inches to about 0.09 inches. In anotherembodiment, the cover thickness is about 0.05 inches or less, preferablyfrom about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches, and more preferably about0.02 inches and about 0.045 inches.

The range of thicknesses for an intermediate layer of a golf ball islarge because of the vast possibilities when using an intermediatelayer, i.e., as an outer core layer, an inner cover layer, a woundlayer, a moisture/vapor barrier layer. When used in a golf ball of thepresent invention, the intermediate layer, or inner cover layer, mayhave a thickness about 0.3 inches or less. In one embodiment, thethickness of the intermediate layer is from about 0.002 inches to about0.1 inches, and preferably about 0.01 inches or greater. For example,when part of a three-piece ball or multi-layer ball according to theinvention, the intermediate layer and/or inner cover layer may have athickness ranging from about 0.015 inches to about 0.06 inches. Inanother embodiment, the intermediate layer thickness is about 0.05inches or less, more preferably about 0.01 inches to about 0.045 inches.

The plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the inventionmay be used in any layer of a golf ball. Accordingly, the golf ballconstruction, physical properties, and resulting performance may varydepending on the layer(s) of the ball that include the compositions ofthe invention.

The at least one layer comprising the plasticized neutralized acidpolymer compositions of the invention may have a hardness of about 20Shore D to about 75 Shore D. In one embodiment, the hardness of a solidsphere formed from a composition of the invention ranges from about 30Shore D to about 60 Shore D. In another embodiment, the hardness rangesfrom about 40 Shore D to about 50 Shore D.

In another aspect of the present invention, golf ball layers formed fromthe plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositions of the inventionmay have a hardness of about 45 Shore C to about 85 Shore C. In oneembodiment, the golf ball layer formed of the compositions of theinvention has a hardness of about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C. Inanother embodiment, the golf ball layer formed of the compositions ofthe invention has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 75 Shore C.

The cores included in the golf balls of the present invention may havevarying hardnesses depending on the particular golf ball construction.In one embodiment, the core hardness is about 20 Shore D to about 60Shore D. In another embodiment, the core hardness is about 30 Shore D toabout 50 Shore D.

The intermediate layers of the present invention may also vary inhardness depending on the specific construction of the ball. In oneembodiment, the hardness of the intermediate layer is about 30 Shore Dto about 65 Shore D. In another embodiment, the hardness of theintermediate layer is about 40 Shore D to about 55 Shore D.

As with the core and intermediate layers, the cover hardness may varydepending on the construction and desired characteristics of the golfball. In one embodiment, the hardness of the cover layer is about 40Shore D to about 65 Shore D. In another embodiment, the hardness of thecover layer is about 50 Shore D to about 60 Shore D.

Embodiments are envisioned wherein the at least one layer is a coatinglayer or tie layer, or moisture barrier layer. One or more coating layermay have a combined thickness of from about 0.1 μm to about 100 μm, orfrom about 2 μm to about 50 μm, or from about 2 μm to about 30 μm.Meanwhile, each coating layer may have a thickness of from about 0.1 μmto about 50 μm, or from about 0.1 μm to about 25 μm, or from about 0.1μm to about 14 μm, or from about 2 μm to about 9 μm, for example. It isenvisioned that a plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionmoisture barrier layer or tie layer may have any thickness known in theart with respect thereto.

The golf balls of the present invention may be painted, coated, orsurface treated for further benefits. For example, golf balls may becoated with urethanes, urethane hybrids, ureas, urea hybrids, epoxies,polyesters, acrylics, or combinations thereof in order to obtain anextremely smooth, tack-free surface. If desired, more than one coatinglayer can be used. The coating layer(s) may be applied by any suitablemethod known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Any of the golf balllayers may be surface treated by conventional methods includingblasting, mechanical abrasion, corona discharge, plasma treatment, andthe like, and combinations thereof.

The melt flow index of compositions herein and in particular neutralizedacid polymer compositions of the invention may be measured using ASTMD-1238, condition E, at 190° C., using a 2160 gram weight.

As used herein, “modulus” refers to flexural modulus as measured using astandard flex bar according to ASTM D790-B.

Hardness measurements are made pursuant to ASTM D-2240 “IndentationHardness of Rubber and Plastic by Means of a Durometer.” The hardness ofa core, cover, or intermediate layer may be measured directly on thesurface of a layer or alternatively, at the midpoint of the given layerin a manner similar to measuring the geometric center hardness of a corelayer that has been cut in half and the approximate geometric center ofthe core is measured perpendicular to the sectioned core. For example,the hardness of the inner cover layer may be measured at the midpoint ofthe layer after the ball has been cut in half. A midpoint hardnessmeasurement is preferably made for the inner and intermediate coverlayers. The midpoint hardness of a cover layer is taken at a pointequidistant from the inner surface and outer surface of the layer to bemeasured. Once one or more cover or other layers surround a layer ofinterest, the exact midpoint may be difficult to determine, therefore,for the purposes of the present invention, the measurement of “midpoint”hardness of a layer is taken within plus or minus 1 mm of the measuredmidpoint of the layer. A surface hardness measurement is preferably madefor the outer cover layer. In these instances, the hardness is measuredon the outer surface (cover) of the ball.

In turn, material hardness is measured according to ASTM D2240 andgenerally involves measuring the hardness of a flat “slab” or “button”formed of the material. It should be understood that there is afundamental difference between “material hardness” and “hardness asmeasured directly on a golf ball.” Hardness as measured directly on agolf ball (or other spherical surface) typically results in a differenthardness value than material hardness. This difference in hardnessvalues is due to several factors including, but not limited to, ballconstruction (i.e., core type, number of core and/or cover layers,etc.), ball (or sphere) diameter, and the material composition ofadjacent layers. It should also be understood that the two measurementtechniques are not linearly related and, therefore, one hardness valuecannot easily be correlated to the other. Unless stated otherwise, thehardness values given herein for cover materials are material hardnessvalues measured according to ASTM D2240, with all values reportedfollowing 10 days of aging at 50% relative humidity and 23° C.

Compression is an important factor in golf ball design. For example, thecompression of the core can affect the ball's spin rate off the driverand the feel. In fact, the compositions and methods of the presentinvention result in golf balls having increased compressions andultimately an overall harder ball. The harder the overall ball, the lessdeformed it becomes upon striking, and the faster it breaks away fromthe golf club.

As disclosed in Jeff Dalton's Compression by Any Other Name, Science andGolf IV, Proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf (EricThain ed., Routledge, 2002) (“J. Dalton”), several different methods canbe used to measure compression, including Atti compression, Riehlecompression, load/deflection measurements at a variety of fixed loadsand offsets, and effective modulus. For purposes of the presentinvention, “compression” refers to Atti compression and is measuredaccording to a known procedure, using an Atti compression test device,wherein a piston is used to compress a ball against a spring.

The Atti compression of golf balls formed from the compositions of thepresent invention may range from about 50 to about 120. In oneembodiment, the Atti compression of golf balls formed from thecompositions of the present invention range from about 55 to about 100.In another embodiment, the Atti compression of golf balls formed fromthe compositions of the present invention range from about 70 to about90.

The glass transition in a polymer is a temperature range below which apolymer is relatively brittle and above which it is rubber-like. Inaddition to lowering the Tg, a plasticizer may also reduce the tan δ inthe temperature range above the Tg. The Tg of a polymer is measured by aDifferential Scanning calorimeter or a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)and the DMA is used to measure tan δ. The plasticizer may also reducethe hardness and compression of the composition when compared to itsnon-plasticized condition. Accordingly, a plasticized neutralized acidpolymer composition will generally have lower Tg, flex modulus,hardness, and other physical properties such as compression than itsnon-plasticized counterpart.

The coefficient of restitution or COR of a golf ball is a measure of theamount of energy lost when two objects collide. The COR of a golf ballindicates its ability to rebound and accounts for the spring-like feelof the ball after striking. As used herein, the term “coefficient ofrestitution” (COR) is calculated by dividing the rebound velocity of thegolf ball by the incoming velocity when a golf ball is shot out of anair cannon. The COR testing is conducted over a range of incomingvelocities and determined at an inbound velocity of 125 ft/s.

In this aspect, the present invention contemplates golf balls formedform the neutralized acid polymer compositions of the present inventionhaving CORs from about 0.700 to about 0.850 at an inbound velocity ofabout 125 ft/sec. In one embodiment, the COR is about 0.750 to about0.800, preferably about 0.760 to about 0.790, and more preferably about0.770 to about 0.780. In another embodiment, the ball has a COR of about0.800 or greater. In yet another embodiment, the COR of the balls of theinvention is about 0.800 to about 0.815.

Solid spheres (1.55 inches) formed of the compositions of the inventionmay have a COR of at least about 0.790, preferably at least about 0.800.For example, the COR of solid spheres formed from the neutralized acidpolymer compositions of the invention ranges from about 0.810 to about0.830. In one embodiment, a solid sphere formed from the neutralizedacid polymer compositions of the invention has a COR of about 0.800 toabout 0.825. In another embodiment, the COR of the solid sphere rangesfrom about 0.805 to about 0.815.

Evaluating subassembly/golf ball impact or shear durability generallymay involve launching a predetermined number of identicalsubassemblies/finished golf balls using identical launch means (e.g.,hitting machine or air cannon) toward the same target (e.g., catchingnet or steel plate), with each subassembly/golf ball automaticallyreturning to hitting/launching position and then being hit again orre-launched a pre-set number of times such as 150, 400, etc., or untilthe subassembly/golf ball fails, as judged by visual observations or asignificant drop in COR. A minimum sample size should be set (such as 6,12, etc. subassemblies/golf balls, and hitting/launching can occur atroom temperature, i.e., approximately 22° C.

In one particular approach, degree of adhesion and durability ofinventive golf balls can be evaluated by first making a predeterminedtotal number of golf balls that are identical except for (i) thepresence/absence of low molecular weight non-acid wax in a casinglayer/inner cover layer as well as (ii) the amount of low molecularweight non-acid wax included in the casing layer/inner cover layer.Then, all golf balls are separated into several identical groups, eachgroup containing the same number and types of such golf balls. Thegroups of golf balls are tested at predetermined time intervals byfiring each golf ball within a group at the designated time using a“Shear Impact Air Cannon” at approximately 135 ft./sec. into a groovedplate at an angle of about 35° from horizontal. Subsequently, all golfballs of every group are visually examined for any delamination of thecover from the casing layer. Delamination evidences poor durability andpoor adhesion between layers, which can result from migration ofingredients within and between adjacent layers (inter-layer and/orintra-layer).

In other embodiments, the quality of adhesion between two layers such asa cover and casing layer can be evaluated by creating a sample from eachsubassembly/golf ball as follows. First, a ½″ wide strip centered aboutthe circumference of each ball may be cut. Next, an approximate 1″ tabof cover material can be manually prepared by making a cross cut in thestrip and peeling the cover material from the underlying layer. Then,each golf ball may be placed in a freely rotating jig fitted with arotary encoder and the jig is mounted to the base of a universal testframe. Finally, each prepared tab can then be clamped into jaws attachedto an appropriately sized load cell.

Testing may be conducted by advancing the crosshead at 0.5 inches perminute with data recorded every 0.1° of rotational motion of the testfixture. The load cell records the force while the rotary encoderrecords the rotational distance of each ball, which is then converted tolinear distance peeled and used to determine the length of the pull.After discarding any starting slack in the system, peel strength may bereported by taking the average lbf on the load cell of the remainingdata divided by the strip width of 0.5″.

Golf balls of the present invention will typically have dimple coverageof 60% or greater, preferably 65% or greater, and more preferably 75% orgreater. The United States Golf Association specifications limit theminimum size of a competition golf ball to 1.680 inches. There is nospecification as to the maximum diameter, and golf balls of any size canbe used for recreational play. Golf balls of the present invention canhave an overall diameter of any size. The preferred diameter of thepresent golf balls is from 1.680 inches to 1.800 inches. Morepreferably, the present golf balls have an overall diameter of from1.680 inches to 1.760 inches, and even more preferably from 1.680 inchesto 1.740 inches.

Golf balls of the present invention preferably have a moment of inertia(“MOI”) of 70-95 g·cm², preferably 75-93 g·cm², and more preferably76-90 g·cm². For low MOI embodiments, the golf ball preferably has anMOI of 85 g·cm² or less, or 83 g·cm² or less. For high MOI embodiment,the golf ball preferably has an MOI of 86 g·cm² or greater, or 87 g·cm²or greater. MOI is measured on a model MOI-005-104 Moment of InertiaInstrument manufactured by Inertia Dynamics of Collinsville, Conn. Theinstrument is connected to a PC for communication via a COMM port and isdriven by MOI Instrument Software version #1.2.

Thermoplastic layers herein may be treated in such a manner as to createa positive or negative hardness gradient. In golf ball layers of thepresent invention wherein a thermosetting rubber is used,gradient-producing processes and/or gradient-producing rubberformulation may be employed. Gradient-producing processes andformulations are disclosed more fully, for example, in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/048,665, filed on Mar. 14, 2008; Ser. No.11/829,461, filed on Jul. 27, 2007; Ser. No. 11/772,903, filed Jul. 3,2007; Ser. No. 11/832,163, filed Aug. 1, 2007; Ser. No. 11/832,197,filed on Aug. 1, 2007; the entire disclosure of each of these referencesis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Advantageously, the compositions of the present invention provideexcellent physical properties such as heat stability as well asprocessability (excellent melt flow) and meanwhile produce a golf ballhaving desired properties such a CoR and compression and with soft feel.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contain certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges ofvarying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that anycombination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scopeby the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodimentsare intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Anyequivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. For example, the compositions of the invention may also beused in golf equipment such as putter inserts, golf club heads andportions thereof, golf shoe portions, and golf bag portions. Indeed,various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown anddescribed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fallwithin the scope of the appended claims. All patents and patentapplications cited in the foregoing text are expressly incorporateherein by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf ball comprising at least one layercomprised of a plasticized neutralized acid polymer compositionconsisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecular weightacid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer, of which atleast one is a low molecular weight non-acid wax; (c) at least oneorganic acid or salt thereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer; whereineach low molecular weight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight offrom about 500 to about 30,000; wherein the mixture contains at least 70percent of neutralized acid groups; and wherein the mixture has a meltflow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min.
 2. The golf ball of claim 1,wherein the low molecular weight non-acid wax is selected from the groupconsisting of: high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylenemaleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers;polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; highdensity oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylenemicronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiablelow molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecularweight non-acid waxes; chemically modified low molecular weight non-acidwaxes, and combinations thereof.
 3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein atleast one low molecular weight non-acid wax is included in a blend ofnon-acid-polymers in an amount of at least 50 wt. % based on the totalweight of the blend.
 4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein at least onelow molecular weight non-acid wax is included in a blend ofnon-acid-polymers in an amount of less than 50 wt. % based on the totalweight of the blend.
 5. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the at leastone low molecular weight non-acid wax is included in the blend in anamount of from about 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % based on the total weight ofthe blend.
 6. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the at least one lowmolecular weight non-acid wax is included in the mixture in an amount ofno greater than 35 wt. % based on the total weight of the mixture. 7.The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the at least one low molecular weightnon-acid wax is included in the mixture in an amount of from about 5 wt.% to about 30 wt. % based on the total weight of the mixture.
 8. Thegolf ball of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-acid-polymer consistsof at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax.
 9. The golf ball ofclaim 1, wherein component (a) is included in an amount of 5 to 95 partsof each 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined.
 10. The golf ballof claim 9, wherein component (b) is included in an amount of from about5 to 95 parts of each 100 parts of components (a) and (b) combined. 11.The golf ball of claim 10, wherein component (c) is included in anamount of from 5 to 100 parts per 100 parts of components (a) and (b)combined.
 12. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein component (d) may beincluded in an amount of from about 1.0 parts to about 300 parts per 100parts of components (a) and (b) combined.
 13. The golf ball of claim 12,wherein component (a) is included in the mixture in an amount of about70-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined,component (b) is included in the mixture in an amount of about 20-30 wt% of each 100 wt % of components (a) and (b) combined, component (c) isincluded in the mixture in an amount of about 35-45 wt % per 100 wt % ofcomponents (a) and (b) combined; and component (d) is included in themixture in an amount of about 0.5-80 wt % of each 100 wt % of components(a) and (b) and (d) combined.
 14. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein themixture contains at least 80 percent of neutralized acid groups.
 15. Thegolf ball of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains at least 90 percentof neutralized acid groups.
 16. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein themixture contains 100 percent of neutralized acid groups.
 17. The golfball of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains a sufficient amount of acation source to neutralize greater than about 100% of all acid groupspresent.
 18. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the at least one organicacid or salt thereof is a fatty acid or fatty acid salt, or blendsthereof.
 19. The golf ball of claim 18, wherein the at least one organicacid or salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of MagnesiumOleate, Magnesium Stearate, or combinations thereof.
 20. The golf ballof claim 12, wherein the low molecular weight acid-containing wax isselected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers,ethylene-meth acrylic acid copolymers, oxidized polyethylene, orcombinations thereof.
 21. The golf ball of claim 20, wherein each lowmolecular weight acid-containing wax has a molecular weight of fromabout 500 to about 7,000.
 22. The golf ball of claim 20, wherein thenon-acid polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethyleneacrylate copolymers; polyether esters; polyether amines; or combinationsthereof.
 23. The golf ball of claim 22, wherein the plasticizer isselected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters, phosphateesters, or mixtures thereof.
 24. The golf ball of claim 23, wherein themelt flow index of the mixture is greater than 1.0 g/10 min.
 24. Thegolf ball of claim 23, wherein the melt flow index of the mixture isfrom about 1.0 g/10 min to about 4 g/10 min.
 25. The golf ball of claim24, wherein the golf ball has a CoR of from about 0.740 to about 0.840.26. The golf ball of claim 25, wherein the golf ball has a compressionof from about 40 to about
 135. 27. The golf ball of claim 12, whereineach low molecular weight acid-containing wax has a Brookfield viscosityof about 1100 cps or less at 140° C. and a density of less than 0.96g/cc.
 28. The golf ball of claim 17, comprising a center and an outercore layer disposed about the center, wherein at least one of the centerand the outer core layer is the at least one layer.
 29. The golf ball ofclaim 23, wherein the center has a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30inches and a center hardness of 50 Shore C or greater, and the outercore layer has a surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater, and an innercover layer has a material hardness less than the surface hardness ofthe outer core layer; and an outer cover layer is disposed about theinner cover layer.
 30. The golf ball of claim 23, wherein the center hasa diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and a center hardness of75 Shore C or greater, and the outer core layer has a surface hardnessof 50 Shore C or greater, and an inner cover layer has a materialhardness less than the surface hardness of the outer core layer; and anouter cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer.
 31. The golfball of claim 17, comprising a subassembly, an inner cover layerdisposed about the subassembly, and an outer cover layer surrounding theinner cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner cover layer andouter cover layer is the at least one layer.
 32. The golf ball of claim1, wherein the mixture has a melt flow index of at least 1.0 g/10 min.